Spring-catch.



E. H. MARTIN.

SPRING CATCH.

uwucmou FILED SEPT-21. ms.

1,258,589. Patented Mm, 191& Q

INVENTOR E LAM H. MA WITNESSES UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ELAM H. MARTIN, .NARVON, PENNSYLVANIA.

SPRING-CATCH.

Application filed September 22, 1916.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, 'ELAM H. 'MARTIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Narvon, in the county of Lancaster and State of Pennsylvania, have invented cerlain new and useful Improvements in Spring-Catches, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to catches, and the invention has more especial reference to a novel spring catch.

The invention has for its principal object to provide a spring catch, whereby, a movable element will beinaintained in a catch orfixed position, and when released, will. be engaged by automatic means which will deliver a thrust thereto and consequently, facilitating opening or closing thereof.

Among other aims and objects of the invention may be recited, the provision of a catch of the character mentioned, with a view to compactness, and in which the number of parts are few, the construction simplc, the cost of production small, and efiiciency and operation high.

Other and further improvements and novel details in the construction and arrangement of parts will be appreciated from the description to follow, which, for a clear understanding of the invention should be considered in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof and wherein a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown for the purpose of illustration.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a horizontal section showing the improved catch applied to a fixed member and engaging a movable member,

Fig. 2 is a perspective of the improved spring catch, and

Fig. 3 is a perspective of a slightly modified form of spring catch.

With more particular reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout the several views, the improved construction may be stated to embody a base plate 1, which has formed therein, in spaced apart relation, a plurality of openings, generally indicated by the numeral 2 adapted to receive suitable fastening devices therethrough, in order that the base can be securely affixed to an object.

One end of the base plate 1 has formed thereupon, an arm 3, a portion of WhlCh 1s Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 5, 1918.

Serial No, 121,623.

bent upwardly at substantially right angles thereto, as at at and is then bent rcarwardly to form a catch element 5, the remaining end of the arm being inclined as at 6 to form a suitable guide member whereby the movable element with which the catch is to be engaged will be directed thereto. From the construction thus far described, it will be understood, that when the base 1 is secured to the fixed or immovable object 7 by means of the screws 8 which are passed through the openings 2 formed therein and then embedded in the object T, the catch will be in a position to receive the movable element 9. Thus, when this movable element is forced into engagen'icnt therewith, the portion 4 of the arm 3 will be fiexcd and the catch 5 snapped over the movable element when, sulliciently engaged therewith.

WVith a view toward providing means whereby a thrust will. be delivered to the movable element 9 when the catch 5 is disengaged therefrom, a spring arm 10 is formed upon the remaining end of the base 1 and is bent intermediate its ends to provide an inclined arm 11. It will be noted, that the inclined arm 11 is arranged directly beneath the movable element 9 when the same is moved into engagement with the catch 5; also, that the same will be flexed and consequently, placed under tension by the movable element. Hence, when the catch 5 is disengaged from the said movable element the inclined arm 11 will assume its normal position and in doing so, will impart a thrust to the movable element, thereby, facilitating the opening or closing of the same, such as the case may be.

The construction described in the above embodiment, obviously, is formed of spring sheet metal and in order to provide a similar catch which may be constructed at a slightly lower cost, the construction shown by the Fig. 3 is proposed. In this particular embodiment, a single strand of spring wire is employed, a portion of the same being bent to form a base 12, the said base being provided with ofi'set loops 13, whereby the same may be secured to an object by engaging suitable fastening devices with the looped portions, while one end of the strand is bent upwardly as at 14 and is then bent inwardly at substantially right angles to the portion 14, to provide a catch 15, similar to the catch 5. To provide means for automatically delivering a. thrust to a movable member when the catch 15 is disengaged therefrom, the remaining end of the strand is bent to provide an inclined arm 16 which, when the movable element is engaged by the catch 15, will be placed under tension and therefore, will impart a thrust to the said movable element a hen the catch is disengaged.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated by workers in the art that I have provided a spring catch which may be advantageously used as a door check, a window shutter catch, a box closure, whereby a pivotal lid will be held in open or closed position, and in fact, may be adapted for use upon any construction, where itis desirable to impart a thrust to the movable element thereof, immediately subsequent to the releasing of the said movable element.

While I have herein illustrated and described with a considerable degree of particularity constructional details of the several forms of catches embodying my invention, I do not wish to be understood as confining the invention to the said embodiments, nor to the eXact construction, arrangement and ad aptation of the parts shown and described, but I reserve the right to make any changes and alterations that fairly fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. As a new article of manufacture, a spring catch formed from a single piece of material and comprising a base, said base having securing portions, thus permitting it to be carried upon a support, a spring arm projecting from one end of said base and extending in an acute angle thereto, whereby the spring arm will overhang the base, said spring arm diverging from the base throughout its entire length, thus causing the free end of the arm to be spaced from said base, a second arm projecting at right angles from the opposite end of said base, said second arm having catch means formed on its outer end, the free end of said first mentioned arm being normally adjacent said catch means, thus allowing the door to move the first mentioned arm inwardly and then be engaged by the catch means on said second mentioned arm, at which time the first mentioned arm will positively hold the door in engagement with the catch means.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a catch formed from a single strand of wire and comprising a base of an elongated construction, said base being off-set to each side thereof intermediate its ends, thus forming a substantially U shaped loop extending to each side thereof, thus causing the loops to extend in opposite directions, whereby the base may be positioned upon a support and the opposite extensions of said base will hold the base against turning over in either direction, said loops being adapted to receive the securing means adjacent their outer ends for retaining the catch upon a support, said base being bent at one end to form a spring arm which diverges therefrom throughout its entire length, said spring arm having its free end spaced from the base, said base being bent at its opposite end at right angles to form a second arm, said sec- 0nd arm having a catch means thereon, the end of said first mentioned arm being normally adjacent said catch means, thus permitting the first mentioned arm to constitute a shock absorber for the door swung into engagement therewith, the catch means of said second mentioned arm will engage the door and then the first, mentioned arm will hold the door in further engagement with the catch means.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of a witness.

Witness:

M. E. Jones.

copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, I). G. 

